Doesn't even deserve 1 star.. - Retail Assistant Primark Employee Review

1.0
16 Apr 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Not many pro's to this job if I'm honest with you. You will meet some nice people who will also agree with you on how terrible the job is and you get frequent breaks. Discount at some food chains/cafes.

Cons

If you want to work in a mature environment, then this isn't the place for you. Folding t-shirts for 8 hours isn't the most exciting thing in the world and it will drag even more when you're not allowed to have a quiet discussion with your co-worker. If management catch you talking they'll give you 3 strikes and then you have to go to head office. A lot of people are employed on a 4-16 hour contract and if you want to increase your contract when they become available they will decline your request and make up an excuse as to why you're not suitable to do more hours. For example, a co-worker was told she wasn't 'confident' enough to have an 8 hour contract however, they are willing to get her in for overtime (even up to 40 hrs a week). Illnesses? Forget that too you have to be super human to work at Primark. They have a policy which states that if you're ill 3 times in 26 weeks you will get put on attendance counselling which is the equivalent to a verbal warning and it will stay on your file for 6 months meaning, you are unable to apply for any other contracts/positions within the company. I was off with a serious illness and was able to provide a doctor’s note as well as my prescription however, they still followed this procedure through anyway. However, I'd like to point out that this rule doesn't apply to everyone. If you're one of the favourites down there then this rule will be ignored. Another thing is holiday. You get a decent amount of holiday however the chances of it getting approved is very unlikely and will have to go through the process of trying to get someone to cover it or take it off unpaid. Progressing in the company is also difficult unless you're a favourite. If you're in education, then I wouldn't bother either. Especially if you're at University/college. They always say education/school work comes first however, this isn't the case. Many people had holiday declined when they needed time off to go to University open days and time off for important University/College trips? Ha, I don't think so. I understand that they're a big company who need their staff but if you're going to employ people 18 and younger this needs to be taken into consideration. The final straw for me was when I went into work Boxing Day (I had no choice as I was weekend staff and you're also contracted to Bank Holidays with no extra pay) and because it was so short staffed management took it out on the workers who went into work that day and spent the whole day storming around moaning about the employees that did actually turn up.. and to top it all off whenever clothes were found in the wrong place they would throw them on the floor and demand that they had to be picked up before anyone could go home. I think the only good reviews given to Primark are probably by the people who are between the ages of 16-18 because if can imagine this is an okay first job as they're working only 4 hour shifts on weekends.

Explore other reviews about Primark

5.0
17 Jun 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great company and all benefits

Cons

No cons found during my time

2.0
25 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Primark offers valuable retail experience in a fast paced environment and can help employees develop skills such as teamwork, customer service, time management, and adaptability. Some team members and managers were supportive, respectful, and helpful during my time there. The workplace can also provide flexible scheduling opportunities for students and seasonal workers, which can be beneficial.

Cons

I am submitting this complaint regarding my experience with Primark management, the PNC team, and the hiring process, as both a former employee and returning applicant. I previously worked at Primark and performed my responsibilities reliably during my time there. Before leaving for school, I was encouraged by management to return during the summer and was told that I would be welcomed back. Based on those assurances, I reapplied expecting a professional and transparent hiring process. Unfortunately, my experience was extremely disappointing and reflected a serious lack of professionalism, communication, and organizational consistency. Throughout the hiring process, I received conflicting information from multiple managers and PNC team members regarding available positions and my application status. Different individuals communicated different expectations, creating confusion and uncertainty. One of the most concerning parts of this experience was being scheduled and interviewed for a position that I later found out was apparently not even available. I took time to prepare for and attend the interview under the impression that there was a legitimate opportunity, only to later receive conflicting information suggesting that the position did not actually exist or was never truly available. This demonstrated a serious lack of coordination within the hiring team. What made this experience even more unacceptable was that I was directly told that I was hired for the position. Based on that communication, I believed I had secured employment and reasonably expected next steps regarding onboarding and scheduling. However, without warning and completely out of the blue, I was later informed that the position had apparently already been filled. Being told that I was hired and then later told the position was no longer available was not only confusing but highly unprofessional and misleading. This caused unnecessary stress and wasted my time, especially since I relied on the information provided by management and the hiring team in good faith. Communication was highly inconsistent and at times dismissive and unprofessional. There were extended periods of no communication, sometimes lasting months, despite repeated efforts on my end to seek updates. As a returning employee who had already contributed to the company, this treatment felt particularly disrespectful. In addition to the hiring concerns, I would also like to address issues I observed while working at Primark. Management communication often lacked consistency, resulting in confusion among employees because leadership did not appear aligned. Expectations could feel unrealistic, while employee efforts frequently went unrecognized. There also appeared to be a lack of accountability when workplace concerns arose, as issues were often overlooked rather than properly addressed. Scheduling and workplace support were also inconsistent. While some managers were helpful and respectful, others were difficult to approach and communicated in ways that felt dismissive or discourteous. This created an environment where employees did not always feel supported or valued. My primary concern is the lack of transparency, professionalism, and accountability demonstrated throughout this process. Employees and applicants deserve clear communication, respectful treatment, and honesty regarding employment opportunities. I am sharing this complaint in hopes that these concerns are taken seriously and that meaningful improvements are made to management communication, hiring practices, and overall employee treatment.

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